Prospect Profiles: Denzel Perryman

Miami University has been pumping out NFL linebackers as well as any college in the past 20 years. Ray Lewis, Jonathon Vilma, Dan Morgan, and Jon Beason are all Pro-Bowl caliber players that have broken into the pro ranks from “The U.” Next up on that list could be 2015 prospect and fellow ‘Cane Denzel Perryman.

Perryman was a three year starter who anchored a Miami defense that was ranked in the top 20 in total defense in 2014. There are some disputes in his size that won’t be official to the combine, but Perryman is in between 5’11 and 6’1 and weighs in at 242. A traditional linebacker, Perryman uses his strength to come down hill, and shed blockers. Perryman has shown terrific work ethic and leadership after being elected captain his senior year. Perryman is the epitome of the “elbow-grease” type player that makes everybody’s uncles and father’s say “that’s how football is meant to be played.” A devastating tackler, Perryman laid the lumber more than any other player in the ACC the last 2 years.

Where Perryman struggles is when it comes to reacting to the offense. It is fairly obvious that a run is called, but Perryman freezes and lets the offensive linemen engage with him. A cardinal sin when it comes to run defense.

https://vine.co/v/OPuXdBEBFbe

This clip may be even worse, Perryman truly just sits and waits, giving the offensive linemen the chance to get downfield and create a lane. Perryman has to improve.

https://vine.co/v/OPuwEY0nEH0

All in all, Perryman is a good prospect, who with some good coaching, can develop into a good linebacker. He won’t ever be Patrick Willis, but there’s no reason he can’t have a similar career to former Brown, D’Qwell Jackson. Perryman should be available in the second, where the Browns could select him to pair with Chris Kirksey to form a linebacking duo that should remain intact for many years.